Watching your child struggle can be exhausting. You see how hard they are trying, yet small moments turn into big emotions, power struggles, or shutdowns. You may wonder why it feels so hard to stay calm when all you want to do is help.

In this episode, I talk with calm parenting expert Kirk Martin about how parents’ emotions and reactions shape their children’s behavior and confidence. Kirk works with families raising strong willed and ADHD wired kids, and he explains why calm, confident leadership creates more change than control ever does.

Kirk shares a pivotal moment from his own parenting journey. After a heated argument, he discovered his son was writing a school paper calling his dad his superhero. That moment revealed how deeply kids want connection and approval, even when behavior looks difficult or defiant.

We discuss why yelling, nagging, and over managing often backfire. When parents stay regulated, set clear boundaries, and give kids ownership within those limits, power struggles decrease and kids are more likely to step up.

A key theme in this conversation is how kids experience mistakes and pressure. One hard moment can quickly turn into I am bad or I am not good enough. Instead of fixing emotions, connection grows when parents reflect feelings, get curious, and normalize the experience.

We also explore nerves and anxiety, especially for young athletes. Feeling nervous usually means a child cares. Confidence is learning to move through discomfort with support, not making it disappear.

In this episode, you will hear
• Why calm parenting reduces power struggles
• What strong willed and ADHD wired kids need most
• How to respond when kids make mistakes
• Why normalizing nerves builds confidence

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Kirk Martin about calm parenting, emotional regulation, and how connection helps kids feel safe, confident, and supported.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

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